CROSS‑BORDER DOCTRINAL PERSPECTIVES ON MENTAL HEALTH AMONG JUVENILES OFFENDERS

AUTHOR – ANAGH UPADHYAY* & PRIYANSHI GUPTA**

* STUDENT AT DEPARTMENT OF LAW(UWSL), KARNAVATI UNIVERSITY, GANDHINAGAR, GUJARAT

** FACULTY AT DEPARTMENT OF LAW(UWSL), KARNAVATI UNIVERSITY, GANDHINAGAR, GUJARAT

BEST CITATION – ANAGH UPADHYAY & PRIYANSHI GUPTA, CRITICAL STUDY OF LAW OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CONCERNING BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ POSITION AND PROTECTION UNDER COMPANY LAW, ILE MULTIDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL, 4 (1) OF 2025, PG. 1001-1008, APIS – 3920-0007 | ISSN – 2583-7230.

 

Abstract

This paper presents a doctrinal assessment of how mental health considerations are embedded within juvenile justice frameworks beyond India’s borders. Through a systematic review of statutory instruments and international conventions—including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Beijing Rules and regional juvenile justice statutes—this study explores the extent to which jurisdictions recognise and operationalise mental health protections for young offenders. Key findings reveal that, although most systems acknowledge the vulnerabilities of adolescents and mandate rehabilitation‑oriented approaches, a persistent gap in doctrinal specificity remains: few statutes prescribe concrete assessment protocols or therapeutic interventions, and courts often defer to executive agencies for implementation. Moreover, significant disparities exist in procedural safeguards—such as preliminary mental health screenings and guaranteed access to evidence‑based treatment—resulting in uneven protection of juveniles’ psychological rights. The study identifies the need for clearer standards, including mandatory mental health assessments at all stages of the judicial process and explicit legislative guidance on treatment modalities. In conclusion, harmonising juvenile justice doctrines with globally recognised mental health norms is essential to ensure that young offenders receive the rehabilitative care they require, thereby promoting both individual wellbeing and broader public safety.

Keywords – Juvenile justice, mental health, doctrinal assessment, Juvenile offenders, rehabilitation.